One year of Frome’s fantastic Covid-19 community support
FROME is reflecting on ‘a year like no other’, which saw the community leap into action to support its vulnerable residents and those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This week marks one year since social restrictions were introduced by the Government, and next week, 23rd March, it will be one year since the start of the first national lockdown, when the country was told to “stay at home” by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
As the country adjusted to a new way of life, Frome’s community was quick to react, with local organisations working together to coordinate the community’s response.
Fair Frome saw demand for its food bank treble, whilst Active and In Touch saw an increase in demand for its services, with membership doubling over the year.
Frome Medical Practice introduced large-scale changes to its services to ensure that it could continue to support its patients and staff; and has provided the community with hope for the future as it rolls out the Covid-19 vaccine to the community. And in response to the needs of the community, hundreds of locals put their hand up to volunteer and help out.
Frome’s deputy mayor, cllr Andy Wrintmore, has paid tribute to the whole community which has gone ‘above and beyond’ and has praised everyone involved for their efforts to support vulnerable residents and those in need.
Cllr Wrintmore told Frome Times, “Our community has been put to the test time and time again during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our residents have faced the unknown and have continually rose to the challenge, often going above and beyond. When the call went out in those early days, residents really pulled together to prevent isolation and loneliness from setting in by making contact with their closest neighbours and offering their support if it was needed.
“Volunteers worked hard to ensure that those who had to self-isolate received food parcels, the older and vulnerable members of the community were transported to essential hospital appointments with Frome Community Drivers and provided be-friending support and a prescription delivery service through Active & In Touch. And charities like Fair Frome really stepped up to continue their support for our most vulnerable.
“We still have 349 volunteers signed up who continue to offer their time and energy and on behalf of us all here at Frome Town Council, I want to thank the whole community for everything they have done and continue to do to build a thriving and caring community for our town.”
